Hotel News in Brief

Nov 25, 09 | 1:46 am

In response to today's challenging economic climate, the French Convention Bureau at ATOUT FRANCE launched on 9 November 2009 its new online concept ‘Affordable France for Business' a selection of ongoing last minute good value deals specially devised for UK Conference and Incentive organisers. Hotel packages and special offers can be checked on franceguidepro.com. They are organized in the following categories: incentives, conferences, meetings. Deals will be renewed monthly and booked online via the featured partners including hotels and convention centres, local tourist boards and convention bureaux, transport companies and DMCs. Veruschka Becquart, UK Head of the French Convention Bureau at ATOUT FRANCE explains: "We believe this dynamic initiative will show France's flexibility and will address the current demands on both sides of the market. Firstly for UK event organisers who will have in hand the appropriate tool to spot very quickly the latest good value deals available and secondly for our partners who choose to participate regularly as they will gain from a constant commercial exposure."

As social media websites surge in popularity globally, hospitality industry leaders are packing their bags for Phuket to discuss the dynamic phenomenon's impact on the hotel business and how it can be harnessed to generate revenue. The 90-minute seminar is one of four talks on the agenda Nov. 30 at Movenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket, site of the first Asia Connect conference in Thailand. Experts will also participate in panel discussions on selling in a buyer's market, rate parity in today's business climate and lessons learned from last month's 'Web in Travel' distribution conference at ITB Asia in Singapore. "The event is centered on key issues and challenges faced by all management in the hospitality industry today," said Craig Fong, director of sales and marketing for Movenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket. "The knowledge gained from this event will help to provide a better understanding for establishing a clear strategy to deal with these critical issues. "Social media is a key element because it's here to stay. In fact, social networking websites are now the second biggest traffic drivers to websites after search engines, according to Internet research firm Hitwise. That cannot be ignored." The conference is being organized by the Asia chapter of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI), a Washington, D.C.-based coalition that's been the source for sales and marketing information in tourism, travel and hospitality since 1927.

Jonathan Wigley, CEO of Absolute Hotel Services Co. Ltd. (AHS) announces a new U Resort in Bali.  The management contract has been signed together with Jeffri Pane and Cencen Kurniawan, Directors of PT Grha Swahita to manage the resort in Seminyak Bali. The new build Resort will be branded U Paasha Seminyak Bali with 102 suites and due to open by August 2010. "This is a great opportunity for us as a fresh brand in the hospitality industry to manage a resort that will carry our brand U Hotels & Resorts and is located in such a prime location in Bali. We are confident that this resort will be well received by our targeted audience as well as adding choice of a resort in the location with a luxury product but at a value price point" said Mr. Jonathan Wigley, CEO of Absolute Hotel Services. U Paasha Seminyak Bali features 94 suites of 56 sqm and 8 penthouse suites of 70-110 sqm, located in a prime location of Seminyak where night life and beach life are close by. Designed in a modern contemporary style befitting the new trends in personality design, offers uncluttered open space that creates an atmosphere of relaxation and revitalization.

Chef Anne-Sophie Pic has been awarded two Michelin stars for her restaurant Anne-Sophie Pic at the Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne, Switzerland, it has been announced by the Michelin Guide.  This distinction brings Chef Pic's total number of Michelin stars to five, including a coveted three-star rating for her restaurant Maison Pic in Valence, France. Though open for less than a year at the Beau-Rivage Palace, Anne-Sophie Pic's restaurant has already redefined dining in Lausanne and added an exciting dimension to Switzerland's most legendary palace hotel. Anne-Sophie is the third generation of her family to hold the coveted 3-star rating and is currently the only female chef in France with the distinction.  Now she has taken her culinary recognition to an even higher level by adding Michelin stars in Switzerland.

The Leela Palace Kempinski Bangalore was recognized as "India's Leading Business Hotel" at the World Travel Awards (WTA) in London on November 8. This is the third consecutive year that The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts' flagship property has received the award. "We are humbled by this award. This brings the focus back to The Leela mission, to sustain and surpass excellence in service, ambience and performance.  We do everything to ensure that our esteemed clients devote their time to the sole purpose of their stay - to conduct business and relax in the most conducive environment", said Andrew Hendrian, General Manager of The Leela Palace Kempinski Bangalore. Located in the "Silicon Valley" of India, The Leela's flagship property is set amidst nine acres of lush tropical gardens.  Drawing inspiration from the architectural style of the Royal Palace of Mysore and the palaces of the Vijayanagara empire, the award-winning Leela Palace Kempinski Bangalore has 357 rooms and suites.  The property boasts the largest rooms in the city, with the average room measuring 575 square feet and Royal Club Suites measuring over 1,000 square feet.  The palace hotel has four restaurants, Asia's premier urban spa, a fitness center and a swimming pool.   With a total 16,360 square feet of meeting space, The Leela is popular with the many IT, software, aerospace and telecommunications companies that are based in Bangalore.

Stronger partnerships with agents helped members of independent hotels group WORLDHOTELS increase market share despite the recession. The group's IMPACT 2009 strategy included successful incentive schemes for MICE agents and corporate clients and a new booking engine and e-marketing department. Creating an e-marketing department and launching the online booking engine meant that room nights generated through worldhotels.com rose by 33%, while room nights generated through the company's booking engine increased by 32% over the past year. It also enabled WORLDHOTELS to increase bookings with online travel agencies and internet distribution partners by 6%.  Most of WORLDHOTELS's business still comes through global distribution systems (GDSs) but the share from internet distribution systems has increased from 23% in 2008 to 32% this year. Robert Hornman, managing director, said: ‘Faced with a global economic slowdown this year, we decided to take the initiative and expand rather than wait for change.' The group has added 46 new affiliate hotels to its portfolio this year and plans further initiatives in 2010 to generate more business for hotels and distribution partners.

The US is poised to boost its tourism investment in China after its Approved Destination Status (ADS) two years ago helped trigger an expansion of airline capacity and led to states flocking to target the market. The US National Tour Association (NTA) is working with the US Department of Commerce to open a Visit USA Centre in Shanghai in Spring 2010, according to NTA director, industry and government relations, Matt Grayson. Next year's launch comes as more US state tourism authorities make inroads in China, prompted by expanded airline capacity and the introduction of more in-depth travel products from tour operators who focus on different regions in place of generic East and West Coast itineraries. One of the more aggressive states making a play for Chinese travel dollars, Hawaii, opened its second mainland China office in Shanghai this year after establishing a presence in Beijing last year.

Pangu 7 Star Hotel is set to become Beijing's most luxurious hotel and a remarkable new icon for the Chinese capital. The 234-room Pangu 7 Star Hotel is the Chinese capital's most privileged address since emperors and empresses occupied the Forbidden City. The opulent hotel combines a prestigious location overlooking the 2008 Beijing Olympic Park, an auspicious East-meets-West design built according to ancient Chinese feng shui principles, and unique services befitting its distinguished international clientele of diplomats, high ranking executives and royalty.